Iran & The Gulf

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran continues to block access to sites bombed by Israel and the US. Since June, inspectors have been unable to verify the country’s nuclear fuel inventory. This is the agency’s first report since the UN Security Council reinstated sanctions requiring Tehran to halt uranium enrichment.

Two men dressed in military uniforms raised the pre-revolutionary Iranian flag at a metro station in Tehran and called for war against what they termed “the criminal regime” of the ayatollahs, according to a video circulated on social media. The two were reportedly arrested, and photos apparently taken during their arrest were also shared online.

Tehran works around the clock on massive barrage as regional sources warn another war round is inevitable.

The head of Iran’s Water Industry Federation says most of Tehran’s reservoirs are empty or nearly depleted and criticizes President Pezeshkian for reacting too late to a looming ecological disaster.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi boasted that the Islamic Republic now possesses more ballistic missiles than it did during Operation Rising Lion, the 12-day war with Israel that took place in June.

Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, held since 2022 on espionage charges, head to French Embassy in Tehran as Iranian prisoner walks free in Paris.

Former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezaei stated on the demonstration's margins, "The Iranian people say to America and Israel: We are standing with all our strength, we are your rivals and the Iranian flag will not come down."

Omid Serlek posted video criticizing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday; his body was found in his car Saturday; opposition activists say Revolutionary Guards intelligence tortured him to death.

CNN revealed that Tehran purchased 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from Beijing for use in its ballistic missile industry. Some of the cargo ships and Chinese entities involved in the deal are under US sanctions.